It’s no secret that essential oils can do great things for your mood and energy levels. Some, like lemon and spearmint, are energizing and uplifting. But plenty of others exert a calming, soothing effect that can help you unwind and fall asleep faster.

Science backs this up, by the way, with countless studies touting the pro-chill, pro-sleep effects of oils like lavender, vanilla, and chamomile. While others, like ylang-ylang and sandalwood, have been shown to ease anxiety and soothe stress. Spritzing them on your pillow makes it easy to get a big whiff of the beneficial compounds when you need them the most. An added perk: they’ll make your bed smell like a spa.

Of course, there's no guarantee that any old spray claiming to help you snooze better will actually work. So we rounded up the best of the best. These eight have racked up rave reviews from tons of enthusiastic users for their sleep-promoting powers and rich, soothing scents. (Some even come with some surprising added benefits. Looking for a spray to calm your cats or keep monsters from invading your kid’s room? You’ll find them here.)

The only problem? They all sound so dreamy, you might have a tough time deciding which one to try first.

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Photograph courtesy of amazon.com

1

Eunoia Naturals Relax Your Mind + Body Aromatherapy Mist

This light, floral spray packs a one-two punch. Lavender essential oil promotes feelings of calm and relaxation, while chamomile acts as a mild sedative to help you doze off faster. Much faster. According to one reviewer, “I would lay awake for at least two hours waiting to fall asleep, but I used this spray on my pillow and BAM!..out like a light. Love it.”

This stuff just might be the Mack Daddy of sleep sprays. Made with lavender and chamomile, it’s racked up some 1,440 reviews and a nearly 5-star rating. Perhaps that’s because it’s a total crowd pleaser. Yep, it helps people fall asleep. But users also say it works as a “monster spray” for little kids, and on dog beds to help anxious pups stay calm. In fact, one reviewer loves it so much that she’s giving it out for Christmas. Stocking stuffers, anyone?

Can’t fall asleep because you’re still stewing over that annoying thing that happened at work? This is the stuff for you. It boasts a blend of lavender, citrus, and patchouli to melt away anger and frustration and give you a general sense that everything’s gonna be just fine. And it doesn’t just work at night. “Spray the pillows and blanket with it every night. I need to get another to use in the car and on road trips, in my classroom…anywhere one needs an olfactory reminder to chill out,” one reviewer writes. Plus, you can’t beat the price.

In addition to the usual lavender and chamomile, this beloved spray includes other tension-tamers like ylang-ylang, orange, and sandalwood, which lend citrusy, earthy notes. “I am a nursing mom who needs to fall back asleep quickly cause the baby will be up soon, and this does the trick,” one reviewer wrote. If it works for her, it’s gotta be good.

You know that sweet scent of freshly baked cookies that instantly makes you feel cozy and comfy? That’s what the calming vanilla notes in this beloved spray do as well. Add in some lavender, and you’ll feel snug as a bug for sure. “I love cuddling up to my pillow at night when I’ve sprayed this on it. It’s the best!” one smitten reviewer gushes.

More than 100 4.5-star reviews can’t be wrong. This blend of lavender, chamomile, clary sage, marjoram, and balsam will instantly make your sleep space feel more serene. One reviewer said she “can’t live without this oil,” and that it “makes us sleep and dream so well!” To use it as a pillow mist, just add 30-40 drops of the oil to a small spray bottle (like this $4 one from Amazon) and fill the rest with distilled water, the manufacturer recommends.

We’d buy this for the pretty, minimal packaging alone. But the drowse-inducing blend of lavender, chamomile, and vetiver certainly doesn’t hurt. One user swore it’s the only thing besides sleep meds that can help her snooze. Another says it works for her two crazy cats, too. So, good stuff all around.

Everyone’s favorite 90’s mall store strikes again. This time, with a blend of soothing vanilla and mood-boosting patchouli that claims to deliver pure comfort after a long day. And apparently, a lot of people agree. Among the 647 positive reviews, users say it “is magic,” “puts me out like a light,” and “puts me to sleep every night.” Sold.

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